Self-acting naval-defense mine.



O. W. BOZZETT.

SELF ACTING NAVALDEFENSE MINE. 4

APPLICATION F |Ln nov.2|.191s.

1,248,799. A Patented Deo. 4,1917. V 2 SHEETS-SHEET I- v Gcmmq:

o. w. Bozzi.' SELF ACTING NAVAL DEFENSE MINE.

APrLICATION FILED NOV, 21,1916.

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 @Hoang s UNITED sirArEs PATENT oEEIcE.

OLIVER WLBOZZET'I, OF BRODKLYN, N YORK, ASIGNOR 4Olli ONEeHALF T0 JAMES J'.

JOYCE, OF ANNAPOLIS, MABYLANII SELF-ACTING NAVAL-DEFENSE MINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 4, 1917.

` Application filed November 21, 1916. Serial No. 132,645.

'Acting Navel-Defense Mines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to selfnctiug naval or coast defense mines of the submarine type.

The principal objects of my invention are lirst, to provide mines of the character described which are positive in action when struck by a colliding vessel; second, mines embodying frangible contact members or horns7 and apparatus associated therewith that when oneor more of the horns are submerged and broken, the mine 4is exploded; third, mines embodying horns of the character described so constructed'that they will not collect marine vegetation at the vital portions eventhough submerged for a very long period of time; fourth, mines whichmay be transported with safety or used in practice Without danger 'of casualexplosion;

fifth, mines embodying a, firing chamber which set into action: by the ingress of wa ter to the, chamber through" a broken 'conn tact horn when submerged sixth, mines which are simple in construction, easily assembled, and hence inexpensive' to manufao ture; and, fseventh, mines which may be `readily recovered after they have been anchored for operation,- by use of suitabledragging apparatus without the dange'of the mines exploding on the surface of the water.

y Other objects and advantages of my invention will apl ear in the following detailed description.,` ta (en in connection with the accompanying drawings,;fcrming a part of this specification, andin which drawings:

4Figure 1 is e side elevation'of a mine con-4 structed according to my invention.

Fig; 2is s' 'central vertical sectional view throughthe mine, art's'being shown 'in elei. votion to simplify he disclosure.

Fig. v3 top den view of a receptacle or'an ignitible su stance. l y d; is e sectional view on the line 4--4 of Fig. through "a receptacle vfor quick ignition substance. f l

Fis'. is a longitudinal sectional view lower portion of body 'able distance above the through a contact piece or horn ofthe mine, and assoclatcd parts.

Fig 6 is a. sectional View on the line 6-6' of Fig. 5.

In the drawings, Where similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the vlews; A designates a Water-tight case, preferably globular in shape, and in the example shown ineludin a main body B and a `detachable cover D a housing in said case comprising a base E, a. receptacle F for an ignitible substance, a receptacle G for quick ignitlon substance, and a. receptacle H for high explosives; ipconveyers for water from the exterior of said case to said housin and 1n thel example shown, to the receptac e F; and, frangible closures for said conveyors exteriorly of said case and in the example shown in the `form of horns. If desired valves L may be provided in conveyors J and said eonveyers may be formed to provide water traps M.

Referring rst to the case A, as shown,

the cover C may be secured to the main body:

B, as by bolts 7 passing through a'v flange 8 of the cover and entering a. flange 9 at the upper portion of body B, a gasket'V 10 being interposed between the ilanges 8- and 9. A device 1l, such e rin is secured to the to facilitate anchorage of the mines in place, while the cover C may be provided with a similar Ydevice 12 to facilitate planting of the mines ,and the placing or removal of thecover C with respect to 4body B. Referrmg 'now to the magazine or housing D, the base E may be in the form of a. cylindrical body Welded or otherwise se. 4curdV to the interior of case A let its lower portion and is hollow. to provide e-.well 13. Adia'phrem4 14 may. be secured in the hollow of the ase providing a falsebottom for the well andl e'dead air-space 15 therebef 10m-this for preve'ntinfr water of` condensation gaininguecess` to tlie well 13. `The re'- cept'acle F may comprise a. hollow cylindrical main body 16, a reticulate bottom '17 and a plurality of vnipples 18 projecting from its exterior and radially disposed, these nipples being welded or otherwise'secured to the body 16 with their wa s .spacedva suitelearly shown in Fig. 2 of the'drawings. This receptacle is adapted to receive an ottom` 17 as is' nipples 18,..

phid'or other suitable substance which rests upon the bottom 17 and has its upper surf face in close roximity to the ways 20 of he receptacle D may com- `prlse a,- me'in body 21 cylindrical in shape, and provided With'a semi-globular head 22 and anfexteriorly disposed annular fiange 23 intermediate its ends ,.and, 'a reticulate bottom 24. 4Above the flange 23, the bodyl 21 is provided With perforations 25. 'This re.. ceptacle is adapted to receive quick ignitien substance 26,.such as black powder'whih rests upon the reticulate bottom 2li andis disposed with its upper surface adjacent' the perforations.. 'As to the receptacle H it is relatively larger than the receptacles F and G and may be what is known in the art as a TNT tank being adapted to receive a high explosive composition 27 including.

gun cotton,

' The receptacle F may be in screw-thread ed engagement with base E as clearly shown in Fig. 2 0f the drawings, While the receptacleD may be in superposed relation to and in screw-threaded engagementwith receptacle F. The receptacle H may be detachably secured to receptacle D as by bolts 28 passing through liange 23 and entering an enlarged portion 29 at the mouth of receptaclc H. If desired, this last-mentioned receptacle may be provided with a handle 30 to facilitate transportation and lacing of the receptacle as hereinafter setl orth.

The substance 19 Ais of that nature tofbe ignitible vby an admixture of. Water, such water finding its way to." receptacle F throughtheconveyers J which' may comprise a socket 31 Welded or otherwise secured to thehcase A and extending from itsexterio'r'; a pipe 32; and, suitable unions 33 and 34 disposing pipe 32 in conducting communiceftion with the lway 350i socket 31 and the Way 20 of a nipple 18, respectively, as is herein .shown in Fig. 2 of the draw-ings. In Y the present example I have shown the pipe 32 so formed as to provide traps M below 'the level'of Way 20, and valv s L interposed in theI pi between their co nections with thecase: v 1andfh`ousing G, the function, of these -valvesbiig to `close the pipes a ainst ingress of vvvaterfvvhile' the mines are einlg transported,t or when used' in practice a though the valves may be dispensed With 'if Thef-conveyers J are larrenged so that those E--portions at the body -B of the case are at the upper portion thereof, or, in other words, above the central-horizontal plane 0f the 'casend the sockets 31 are arran d, in

the exampleshowmin circumferentia 1y ex-' tending rows, one row beine above the other .asisclearlyshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.l

,l Eachsocket 31 is'ada-pted to receive a 4with its open end portion A lsealed 1n Way 27, a. suitable fille? 39, such as""' ferred to construct each contact or closure so as to comprise a metallic base 36 provided with an axial Way 37; a hollow lass horn 38v ermetically ably of tubular shape, closed at one end and' made of glass, about the thickness of the ordinary -Water glass noW used on Water boilers. This horn, presenting.l a glazed surface exteriorly of the mine will not collect marine vegetation or otherwise foul .from

soI

use, and the vitalportions are at alltimes exposed for engagement with the colliding vessel. The base 36 may lie-provided with l screw threads 41 having engagement with screw threads 42 of socket'31 and When turn ingthe closure into operative relation to the .conveyers J, a gasket 43 may be interposed bet-Ween a` Shoulder 44 of the-base 36 and the outerl face of sockets 31 as is clearly shown in Fig 5 of the drawings, Thus, the hollow of the horn 38 is in communication with the way 35 of sockets 31 and hence in communication with -the interior of housing D 'at receptacle F. y

When assembling-the mine, with the cover-A C removed 'from operative relation to the main-body VB the receptacle F, containingv the ignitible substance 19 may be turned 4into place, 1n fluid-tight engagement with the base E. The pipes 32 may be then secured in operative Arelation to their respective sockets 31 andrnipples 18 of receptacle F.

vThis may be followed by turnin the recepi tacles G and H into operative re ation to the receptacle F, Whereafter the cover- C may be placed in fluid-tight engagement yvith the main body B. The' closures K maybe then turnedinto operative relation to the sockets 31, and with the valves L, if provided,lin.an

open position, the'mme is in ,.n'es. or .v y.

p1anting.

stored in an' ssembled ycondition.ertoe the receptag;

is no daiiger of premature explosion. Also, f

with the valves L.cl0sed-the mine maybe transported without disposing the pclosi'iresle 120;. and there is little danger .01El `lcasual explod K in operative relation tc.; 'theconcluctors` J ing of the mine.

Having b een submerged'and anchored in lace, a's 1s now common p ractie,:.anyrfcol;V

i find its Way'to mix with the substance 1th of the ignitible substance 19 and the water Will create a llame. Any excess of Water will drain through the substance 19 and find its Way to Well 13. The flame will ignite the powder or other substance 2G in receptacle G, which in turn will set otf the high explosive 27 in receptacle Il.

It is to be observed that the housing l) is so arranged' jiith respect to the case A that any pai icles of condensation which collect at the interior of the case will not Should, any condensation occur Within the conductors J, it Will be collected in the traps M Wheresuch are provided. The possibility of condensation accumulating in the conductors is remote since, by the provision of the moisture-proof coating in the hollow Aof horns 38, condensation Willw not accumulate at` such portion of the mine, which is directly associated with the magazine and exposed more directly to the Water.

It is preferred to so construct the inine that its upper portion is relatively heavier than the lower portion So that when Ait is desired. to recover a mine by the usual practice of dragging, whenthe mine is released from its anchor, it will come to the surface of the Water with the cover C lowerinoet and the receptacle I'` above .the normal Water-line. I-Ience, should any of the horns become broken, the inine Wil] not be set ofl' owing to the inability of the water to find its Way above the normal Water level.

I desire tolay much sti-ese upon the fact that mines constructed according to my invention may be planted in the Water for a. considerable length of time Without the liability of the minesbecoming-gl ineffective as the result of marine growth, since euch will not adhere to the closures Ii' presenting a glazed Surface exteriorly oi" the inine at its vital portion=.` Since the mine is dependent upon the introduction of 'water into the n'lagazine for the purpose of firing, it may oe transported with safety, and assemblage i5 facilitated by the arrangement of the re ceptacles F, G and H, inounted upon the base E in the manner substantially hereinbefore set forth. 1

Changes in details may be made Without departing from the spirit or Scope of my in Vention; but,

I claim:

l. In a. defense mine, the combination of a case, aI receptacle for high eXpIosive,'a receptacle for quick ignition substance, a receptacle for ignitible substance in said case, said receptacles communicating, a plurality of frangible hollow contact horns earried by said case at its exterior, and'conveyers for Water 'In Acommunication with Said horne and said third-mentioned receptacle.

2. In a defense mine, t e combination of a case, a receptacle `for high explosive, a receptacle-for quick ignition subetance, a receptaele for ignitible substance in saijxl vase, said. receptacles communicating, a conveyor for water fn communication with said third mentioned receptacle and extending ex teriorly ot' said case, and a .trangible closure for said conveyor exteriorly ot said case.

lIn a defense mine, the combination of a case, a receptacle for high explosive, a receptacle for quick ignition eubstanerna rece tacle tor ignitible eubetzu'ice, Said. recep teclee inclue-ed within said case and, com# inunioating, a plurality oit' trangible hollow contact herne carried by Said case at its exterior, and conveyors for water in communication with said horns and eaifl third-fuientioned receptacle.

4t, In al defense mine, the combinatimi oi iavcaee, a receptacle for high exliilosive, a

receptacle ior quick ignition substance, a re ceptacle for ignitible substance, Said receptaclee :inclosed within :said case and com` niui'licating, a conv( r for water in cornlnunication with Said tl'iird-nientioued receptacle and extending exteriorliT oiI Said case, and a 'trangible cloeure for said conveyor exteriorly oi Said case.

5. In deft-,i .mind the combination of a cae-e, n houemg in said case, a destructivo agent in Said houeiug adapted to be sei oli' by the action of water in Said iimieing, a plurality ot piper.; leading :troni the upper portion of Said to Said lioueing, each .of said pipes provided with a trap' below the level ofits ingress to said housing, and frangible closures tor said pipes exterior-ly of said'case.

G, In a defense mine, the combination of a case, a. housing in Said case, a destructive agent in said housing adapted to beset otl" by the action olf water in said housing, a plurality of pipes leading from the upper portion ci? said case to said housing. each of Said pipee provided with a trap belenv the level ot' ite ingress to said. housing, and a Valve intermediate vthe Wall uit said case and said housing, und frangible cloeuree for said pipes exteriorly of said case.

7. In a defense mine, the combination of ay case including a main 'body 'and' a cover adapted to be secured tosaid main body in a watertight manner, a base secured to the interior of said case at ite lower portion and providing a Well, a receptacle for substance ignitible by adnixture ot Water, in screw-threaded engagement with said base and communicating with said Well, a receptacle for quick ignition substance surinounted upon and in screw-threaded engagement with saidlirst-mentioiied receptacle and in communication. therewith, a re-l a hollow glass receptacle and the exterior of said case, and a, frangible closureA for said conveyer exteriorly of said case.

8. In e. defense mine, the combination of a. case including a, main body and e cover adaptedto be secured to seid main body in a wattight manner, a, base secured to the interior of said caseA at vits lower portion, andr a dead air-space below saidwell, a receptacle for substance ignitible by admixture of water, in screw-threaded engagement with seid base and communicating with said well, a, receptacle for quick ignition substance surmounted upon and in screwthreaded engagement with said lirst-mentioned receptacle and in communication therewith, e receptacle for high explosives secured to said second-mentioned receptacle and incommunication therewith for Water in communication with said firstmentioned Areceptacle and the exterior of said case, and a, frengible closure for said conve er exteriorly of said'case.

' 9. `s an article of manufacture, a contact for minesl comprising a metallic base' provided with screw threads and an axial way, horn hermetically sealed to seid base with its hollow open to the said way, and a; moisture-proof coating in the hollow-of Said horn'.

10. As am article of manufacture, a con- :t'actfor mines comprising a base provided with 4e way, 'a hollow hornpresenting a glazed surface et its exterior, hermetically sealed to said base with its hollow open to Said way, and a, moisture-proof coating in the hollow of said horn.

11. As ang-article of manufacture, ev hollowglass horn-like contact member for mines, and e, moisture-proof coalting in the hollow of salid member.

12. Asen article of manufacture, 'a contact .for mines comprising a fmetallicsbase provided VseidA we a conveyor .to its bottom and ha.

the hollow to provide'e dead-eir-space said we and a, wax coating in the llow of said 13. .As an article of menufgcture, Ia. coritact for mines com rising a'base provided with a way, a. ho low horn resenting a glazed surface at its exterior, Ili'ermetically sealed to said lbese with its' hollow open to and a, wax-coating in the hollow of said orn.

14. As an article of manufacture aJ hollow glass horn-like contact member Vfor mines, and, e wax coating in the hollow of sind member.

15.- In a. defense mine, a magazine comprising' a receptacle for an i stance, a. receptacle'zfor stance above said vfirst-mentioned receptacle and provided with a. reticula-te bottom, and

a. receptacle for high explosives above said` second-mentioned receptacle and in commu nication therewith. 16. In a defense mine, the combination' of aJ cese, a base in said case secured to its bottom, a. receptacle for vim ignitible substance above said base and provided with a reticulate bottom, ignition substance above said first-mentioned receptacle and provided with a, reticulate bottom, and a receptacle for high explosives 'tible subquick gliition suba receptacle for quick above said second-mentioned receptacle and in communication therewith.

. 17.'In a defense mine, the combination of alcase, a', hollow base insaidfcese Secured :t4-diaphragm dividand a, Well thereebove, s, recx'epl'ecle for an ignitible substanceebo e said base and with a, reticulnte bottom, a receptacle for quick ignition. Substance above .said first-mentloned. receptacle and' provided with a, reticulate bottom, and a. receptacle for high explosives vabove said second-mentioned receptacle and in communication therewith.- OLIVER W BOZZETT. 

